The Rite Of Descension

God is dead.

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***

Yomite stepped outside the icy spring to breathe in the fresh air after ensuring Fischl was sleeping safely and soundly.

Even though the night's temperature wasn't ideal, it was still refreshing compared to the hell he had endured during the day...

The wind carried a brisk chill across his cheeks as he inhaled cold air deeply.

Due to the lateness of the hour, there were not many people out and about.

However, there were many lit torches in Liyue in the distance, indicating that a large number of people was waiting there. A festival of some sort? Almost.

Before this fateful day, he had never been to this section of Liyue, but now he stood on its outskirts gazing at it.

"Party Leader! There you are. I have been looking everywhere for you." A woman with gorgeous blonde hair called out to him.

"Bad tattoo! You're late! Come here, come! It's almost starting!" Another voice added with a high pitched squeal.

It was obviously the duo of his lovely companions, Lumine and Paimon who were waiting for him to start the festivities tonight.

Yomite chuckled. "I'm sorry," he said. "Did I miss anything?"

"Not really. Paimon bought many sweets for herself from the money you gave to Paimon! Aaaand that's about it..." she replied, gesturing to the large basket in her hands, "Nothing is happening...Paimon is bored? Can we go home?

"Now, now Paimon, relax. Wait...how can you even hold a basket that big?" Yomite asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Paimon wanted to make sure no one would try stealing the snacks as a matter of fact! Paimon's hands are the most reliable to guard the treats after all."

The little fairy beamed proudly, prancing along with a satisfied pout.

Lumine rolled her eyes at her comment.

As a matter of fact, Paimon stated earlier that she was the most trustworthy to have taken the burden of guarding the sweets upon herself.

So dependable, she apparently desired the very first treat from the basket, as well as the second one...as well as the third...and the subsequent ones...

"Paimon, have you ever heard of the saying, 'You'll turn into a cow if you go to sleep right after eating sweets'? Make sure you don't sleep tonight, or else...you might actually end up turning into one..." Lumine warned, trying her best to look stern, but if one looked closer, you could see a hint of amusement in her eyes.

"W-What...R-Really!? P-Paimon will listen! Paimon doesn't want to turn into a cow!" she exclaimed, nearly causing the basket in her hands to fall.

"Then do your best to stay awake," Lumine replied, her lips curling into a small smile.

Yomite couldn't help smiling back at them, laughing at their antics as they neared the place called Yujing Terrace, where pretty much half of the town was already assembled.

He turned his attention towards the crowd when he felt someone bump into his side, sending him off balance. His arms instinctively flew out to break his fall and caught himself by wrapping around the person.

"Hee-hee, moon's out, and so am I! Long time no see! My dearest Assistant!" he was cheerfully greeted by none other than Hu Tao, his little troublemaker of a lover.

She then wrapped her arms around his waist, peering up at him with her bright scarlet eyes, "Where is Fishy-Fishy? You didn't kill her, now did you?" she asked jokingly.

Yomite laughed wryly at that comment.

It was evident Hu Tao knew what the two of them ended up doing earlier today...

Placing his hands on both sides of her face, he leaned downwards for a quick kiss.

"Of course not. She was tired. She should be asleep at the moment. I didn't want to disturb her."

When they pulled apart, they gazed into each other's eyes, foreheads pressed against one another.

"...Thank you for what you did today...The funeral parlor is...my everything, and nothing could have made me happier knowing that you saved it from being closed for good," she told him earnestly.

Yomite smiled, "Don't mention it, Tao. There is no need to talk about it in the first place. Besides...you're...very important to me..." He whispered, feeling slightly self-conscious for whatever reason.

He didn't know why, but this moment made him feel very special and...well...it was nice having his lover acknowledge it.

Acting spontaneously appeared to have its advantages on occasion, such as right now.

His gaze lingered over her lips for another moment before he finally released her, taking a step back and offering his arm.

Hu Tao giggled as she accepted, linking her arms around his arm and walking alongside him through the lively crowds, past individuals who were standing around.

"Look at those two again...acting lovey dovey like this! Paimon doesn't know if Paimon's getting giddy from the sweets Paimon ate, or from looking at those two..." Paimon muttered under her breath.

"...Let's go after them, Paimon..." Lumine quietly nudged her.

It appeared as though Lumine had something to say about the couple, but she was hesitant to express herself.

Just as always.

Yomite turned around to face Lumine and asked, "Come to think of it, I don't see Barbara and Iris. Weren't the four of you together? Where did they go?"

Lumine sighed and scratched the back of her head, "Um...Barbara went to offer prayers to Morax who will soon descend...and dragged Iris with her, saying she would buy her food..." she explained.